Mainstreaming climate change into rural development policy post 2013 : final report

This is the final report of the project "Mainstreaming climate change into rural development policy post 2013". The project aimed to support the mainstreaming of climate change into Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) 2014-2020 by providing Technical Guidance for Member States' Managing Authorities on the design and integration of new and innovative climate operations. The main body of the report, which summarises the project methodology and key findings, is accompanied by six Annexes which give more detailed guidance and examples. The Technical Guidance includes 25 technical fiches for new and innovative climate actions. Moreover, the project developed suggestions and guidelines for potential combinations of rural development (RD) measures which could enhance synergies for climate objectives under Priority 4 and Priority 5 of RDPs. The project also explored the potential for increased climate action through LEADER and joint actions under the Cooperation Measure, highlighting best practice examples of 2007-2013 LEADER climate action projects, and developed suggestions for promoting climate action in future LEADER activities, as well as examples of potential climate-focused topics for joint actions under the Cooperation Measure. Finally, indicators were identified to evaluate the contribution of the RDP measures and combinations of measures to climate change mitigation and adaptation objectives, as well as green growth in the EU.